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Doubleday (2015), 386 pages
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Education. Sociology. Women's Studies. Nonfiction. HTML: From bestselling author Jon Krakauer, a stark, powerful, meticulously reported narrative about a series of sexual assaults at the University of Montana �� stories that illuminate the human drama behind the national plague of campus rape Missoula, Montana, is a typical college town, with a highly regarded state university, bucolic surroundings, a lively social scene, and an excellent football team � the Grizzlies � with a rabid fan base. The Department of Justice investigated 350 sexual assaults reported to the Missoula police between January 2008 and May 2012. Few of these assaults were properly handled by either the university or local authorities. In this, Missoula is also typical. A DOJ report released in December of 2014 estimates 110,000 women between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four are raped each year. Krakauer�s devastating narrative of what happened in Missoula makes clear why rape is so prevalent on American campuses, and why rape victims are so reluctant to report assault. Acquaintance rape is a crime like no other. Unlike burglary or embezzlement or any other felony, the victim often comes under more suspicion than the alleged perpetrator. This is especially true if the victim is sexually active; if she had been drinking prior to the assault � and if the man she accuses plays on a popular sports team. The vanishingly small but highly publicized incidents of false accusations are often used to dismiss her claims in the press. If the case goes to trial, the woman�s entire personal life becomes fair game for defense attorneys. This brutal reality goes a long way towards explaining why acquaintance rape is the most underreported crime in America. In addition to physical trauma, its victims often suffer devastating psychological damage that leads to feelings of shame, emotional paralysis and stigmatization. PTSD rates for rape victims are estimated to be 50%, higher than soldiers returning from war. In Missoula, Krakauer chronicles the searing experiences of several women in Missoula � the nights when they were raped; their fear and self-doubt in the aftermath; the way they were treated by the police, prosecutors, defense attorneys; the public vilification and private anguish; their bravery in pushing forward and what it cost them. Some of them went to the police. Some declined to go to the police, or to press charges, but sought redress from the university, which has its own, non-criminal judicial process when a student is accused of rape. In two cases the police agreed to press charges and the district attorney agreed to prosecute. One case led to a conviction; one to an acquittal. Those women courageous enough to press charges or to speak publicly about their experiences were attacked in the media, on Grizzly football fan sites, and/or to their faces. The university expelled three of the accused rapists, but one was reinstated by state officials in a secret proceeding. One district attorney testified for an alleged rapist at his university hearing. She later left the prosecutor�s office and successfully defended the Grizzlies� star quarterback in his rape trial. The horror of being raped, in each woman�s case, was magnified by the mechanics of the justice system and the reaction of the community. Krakauer�s dispassionate, carefully documented account of what these women endured cuts through the abstract ideological debate about campus rape. College-age women are not raped because they are promiscuous, or drunk, or send mixed signals, or feel guilty....… (more)
Media reviews
"Nevertheless, by grappling so rigorously with this issue and with the myriad ways women are traumatized and retraumatized by seeking justice through the institutions that claim to serve us, Krakauer's investigation will succeed in altering the conversation around sexual violence in ways women's
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experience alone has not." Show Less
"As he has done so brilliantly in his other books — “Into Thin Air” and “Under the Banner of Heaven” among them — he sets the story firmly in the context of social history. "
The last part of “Missoula” is devoted to Mr. Johnson’s trial, with extensive you-are-there courtroom time. It says a lot about the rest of the book — which is as crowded and painful as it is eye-opening, though it would have benefited from more of Mr. Krakauer’s thoughts and presence —
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that the trial is its most gripping section. For that, the author can thank Kirsten Pabst, who first appears as a Missoula County prosecutor whom the author portrays as blatantly sympathetic to the hunks accused of rape and showing no interest in their accusers. Partway through the book, she quits that job, goes into private practice and becomes one of Mr. Johnson’s defense lawyers. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member rosalita
I'm sorry to say that nothing in this nonfiction examination of how the criminal justice system treats rape victims came as a surprise to me. I live in a Division I college town that like the University of Montana has a major sexual assault problem, both among student athletes and the student
I am a long-time volunteer with the local rape victim advocacy center, serving as an advocate both on the crisis line and doing in-person advocacy for survivors when they go to the hospital for forensic exams. The number of women I have personally talked to who end up reporting their assault to the police is minuscule, and anyone reading Krakauer's accounts of how the women of Missoula were treated by the police, by the prosecutor's office, and by the general public will understand why.
It would have been easy for Krakauer to write a screed that vilifies the officials who make it so hard for rape victims to find justice, but instead he has served up a remarkably even-handed, clear-headed examination that not only points out all the ways the system goes wrong, but also the ways in which it can and does try to get it right.
One of the most disheartening statistics in the book is that while it focuses on Missoula, and while the situation there involving numerous sexual assaults committed by members of the football team received national coverage that characterized Missoula as the "rape capital" of the U.S., the truth is that the number of sexual assaults reported in Missoula is actually right about the national average for cities its size. That's not something to cheer about, at all.
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population in general. There have been six sexual assaults reported on campus during this spring semester alone, every one of them perpetrated by someone the victim knew. And outside of the university community, we have a county attorney who has become notorious for almost never pursuing charges against alleged rapists (and like Missoula, this reluctant prosecutor is a woman; it's probably sexist of me to find that even more appalling but I do).I am a long-time volunteer with the local rape victim advocacy center, serving as an advocate both on the crisis line and doing in-person advocacy for survivors when they go to the hospital for forensic exams. The number of women I have personally talked to who end up reporting their assault to the police is minuscule, and anyone reading Krakauer's accounts of how the women of Missoula were treated by the police, by the prosecutor's office, and by the general public will understand why.
It would have been easy for Krakauer to write a screed that vilifies the officials who make it so hard for rape victims to find justice, but instead he has served up a remarkably even-handed, clear-headed examination that not only points out all the ways the system goes wrong, but also the ways in which it can and does try to get it right.
One of the most disheartening statistics in the book is that while it focuses on Missoula, and while the situation there involving numerous sexual assaults committed by members of the football team received national coverage that characterized Missoula as the "rape capital" of the U.S., the truth is that the number of sexual assaults reported in Missoula is actually right about the national average for cities its size. That's not something to cheer about, at all.
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LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer was an eye-opener for me. I'd thought I'd had a pretty good idea about how difficult it was for a rape victim to find justice, but things are much, much worse than I'd thought.
Which should make Missoula unreadable, but
Krakauer manages to remain nuanced and balanced in his journalism, while never down-playing or dismissing the scope of the issue or the deep impact being raped had on the women who were willing to speak with him. I was impressed by Missoula and finished it thinking that it should be required reading for everyone.
Which should make Missoula unreadable, but
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Krakauer uses a few individual cases while reminding the reader of the larger problem they represent. The women involved are brave and determined to call their attackers to account, despite the skepticism of the police, the unwillingness of the prosecutor's office to prosecute, even when the police felt they had a strong case (often with ample evidence and a confession from the rapist), and the general opprobrium of the public, who were quick to support their beloved football players. Krakauer manages to remain nuanced and balanced in his journalism, while never down-playing or dismissing the scope of the issue or the deep impact being raped had on the women who were willing to speak with him. I was impressed by Missoula and finished it thinking that it should be required reading for everyone.
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LibraryThing member Casey_Marie
In Missoula, Krakauer takes an unflinching look at the University of Montana, the local police, and the prosecutor's office through the eyes of five women who reported rapes or attempted sexual assaults between the period of 2010 and 2012. Concomitant to the time period of Krakauer's research, The
Krakauer contends that "rapists rely on the silence of their victims to elude accountability," in in this book, he reinstates the voices of women who were figuratively rendered speechless by acts of violence and the incredulity of those involved in the criminal justice system. Krakauer focuses on cases of acquaintance rape and in doing so he challenges our culture's most deeply held beliefs about what does or does not constitute "rape". For these are not the clean cut cases you see on Law & Order. They involve intoxicated victims and high profile (read: college/football athletes) assailants. But none of this makes a woman's claim to seek justice in the courts any less valid, and Krakauer is adamant in exposing the undue burden placed on victims making this claim.
As a survivor of sexual assault myself, Missoula was both gripping and difficult to read. I would tear through the pages only to be forced to put the book down when harrowing details hit too close to home. In explaining the whole host of traumas faced by the victims in the wake of their assaults, Krakauer does not hyperbolize. Unlike the police detectives and prosecutors featured in the book, Krakauer does not judge. Instead he painstakingly records the stories of these brave women.
I would highly recommend this book as a read for anyone who has been the victim or knows a victim of sexual assault, as a whole new level of understanding will spring forth from this work
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Department of Justice investigated the purported mishandling of 80 sexual assaults in Missoula. The truly disturbing fact remains that this rash of sexual assaults is not an aberration but, rather, "on par with the national average for college towns of Missoula's size". This only serves to prove that violence at Missoula is not an isolated or exaggerated incident. It could, and does, happen everywhere.Krakauer contends that "rapists rely on the silence of their victims to elude accountability," in in this book, he reinstates the voices of women who were figuratively rendered speechless by acts of violence and the incredulity of those involved in the criminal justice system. Krakauer focuses on cases of acquaintance rape and in doing so he challenges our culture's most deeply held beliefs about what does or does not constitute "rape". For these are not the clean cut cases you see on Law & Order. They involve intoxicated victims and high profile (read: college/football athletes) assailants. But none of this makes a woman's claim to seek justice in the courts any less valid, and Krakauer is adamant in exposing the undue burden placed on victims making this claim.
As a survivor of sexual assault myself, Missoula was both gripping and difficult to read. I would tear through the pages only to be forced to put the book down when harrowing details hit too close to home. In explaining the whole host of traumas faced by the victims in the wake of their assaults, Krakauer does not hyperbolize. Unlike the police detectives and prosecutors featured in the book, Krakauer does not judge. Instead he painstakingly records the stories of these brave women.
I would highly recommend this book as a read for anyone who has been the victim or knows a victim of sexual assault, as a whole new level of understanding will spring forth from this work
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LibraryThing member BooksCooksLooks
I have read several of Mr. Krakauer’s books and have found all of them to be page turners. In fact after reading Under the Banner of Heaven I went on a year long reading spree about the Mormons and their history. He just has such an easy writing style. I went into this latest book with a bit of
The book details several different incidents and details them in all of their horror; nothing sensational in the telling, just the facts but those facts are at times very hard to read. Then the young women go to the justice system for help and find themselves suffering another type of assault. From police officers not offering support to prosecutors that just don’t seem to care they are left with nowhere to turn while their alleged attackers go on as if nothing is wrong. And that I think was the scariest thing I took from the book – in many cases these young men who perpetrate these acts honestly do not think they have done anything wrong. They think it is perfectly acceptable to have sex with an unconscious woman.
There are many more facts and studies woven through the narrative as the chosen stories come to their conclusions. I think it’s an important book for everyone to read. Many people from this area are upset at the title but these stories, sadly happen all over the country and I’m sure Mr. Krakauer could have written a similar book for every college town. He just happened to land here in Montana and follow some of the rape cases here. The Department of Justice did come into to Missoula for an investigation so there was definitely a problem. The police department and the university worked with them to create a better environment for assault victims. The county attorney’s office was not as cooperative with the DOJ at the beginning but ultimately came to an agreement. It’s all outlined in the book and it makes for a good read.
Of course it would have been better if there had not been a need to write this book but there was. It’s not a perfect book but it’s a good book. It will make you angry and it will make you think.
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trepidation due to the subject matter but I wanted to see how he covered the material, after all this is my home now. All of the stories of which he writes blew up shortly after we settled here. I read the stories in the news with shock and disgust and who wouldn’t? But what really shocked me was some of the comments in response to the stories that immediately assumed the young ladies were lying because why would these football players need to behave that way – they were Griz and the Griz could do no wrong. Missoula loves its athletes and its football players in particular.The book details several different incidents and details them in all of their horror; nothing sensational in the telling, just the facts but those facts are at times very hard to read. Then the young women go to the justice system for help and find themselves suffering another type of assault. From police officers not offering support to prosecutors that just don’t seem to care they are left with nowhere to turn while their alleged attackers go on as if nothing is wrong. And that I think was the scariest thing I took from the book – in many cases these young men who perpetrate these acts honestly do not think they have done anything wrong. They think it is perfectly acceptable to have sex with an unconscious woman.
There are many more facts and studies woven through the narrative as the chosen stories come to their conclusions. I think it’s an important book for everyone to read. Many people from this area are upset at the title but these stories, sadly happen all over the country and I’m sure Mr. Krakauer could have written a similar book for every college town. He just happened to land here in Montana and follow some of the rape cases here. The Department of Justice did come into to Missoula for an investigation so there was definitely a problem. The police department and the university worked with them to create a better environment for assault victims. The county attorney’s office was not as cooperative with the DOJ at the beginning but ultimately came to an agreement. It’s all outlined in the book and it makes for a good read.
Of course it would have been better if there had not been a need to write this book but there was. It’s not a perfect book but it’s a good book. It will make you angry and it will make you think.
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LibraryThing member streamsong
After Jon Krakauer realized that a dear female friend had undergone severe trauma after being raped, he became generally interested in the subject and, searching the internet, found several high profile rape cases involving football players and students at the University of Montana. What he found
This book follows the stories of several of the rape victims. The first section details their rapes in graphic detail. It's pretty hard to read, but the second section, detailing the ordeals the victims went through during the investigations and trials is even harder to read.
It's well-documented and written in Krakauer's riveting style. I believe it should be required reading for all young adults heading toward or already in college.
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was pretty typical of the rape epidemic, and especially the acquaintance rape epidemic, in most college towns. Although the rapes per capita reflected national averages, there was enough concern about the small number of cases prosecuted that the Department of Justice investigated Missoula in 2012 and recommended broad changes to a number of departments. While law enforcement and the U of M changed their policies, the County District Attorney's Office took offence, and sued the Department of Justice, claiming the DOJ had no jurisdiction over the DA. This book follows the stories of several of the rape victims. The first section details their rapes in graphic detail. It's pretty hard to read, but the second section, detailing the ordeals the victims went through during the investigations and trials is even harder to read.
It's well-documented and written in Krakauer's riveting style. I believe it should be required reading for all young adults heading toward or already in college.
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LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
"...drunk guys who may have 'made mistakes ' nearly always get the benefit of the doubt. Drunk girls, however, do not."
Well, the above quote just about sums up the problems detailed in this book. The rape culture described herein is hardly unique, but it is still incredibly hard to read about. I
The rapists are criminals, no matter what sport they play, or what background they come from. They deserve the harshest of punishments. And people who support them, like Kirsten Pabst, also deserve their comeuppance. Hopefully karma will deal them the hands they so deserve.
This is a very difficult book to read, due to the subject matter. And at times, the legalese sort of lost me. But it is an incredibly important story and needs to be read by all. And as a father of a daughter, I am horrified. And I totally agree with this quote from the book:
"That kid right there is a no-good rapist piece of shit that raped my daughter, and I hope he rots in hell, frankly." - Kevin Huguet
Well, the above quote just about sums up the problems detailed in this book. The rape culture described herein is hardly unique, but it is still incredibly hard to read about. I
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found myself being disgusted, angry, and heartbroken as I turned the pages. The justice system, in these cases, was not just. And Krakauer does not hold back as he reveals who and why the rapists are allowed to rape and then go free, or face the minimum of punishments. Especially horrible in Missoula is Kirsten Pabst, a heartless woman who is truly doing the devils work. Despicable! She truly symbolizes what is wrong in our court system.The rapists are criminals, no matter what sport they play, or what background they come from. They deserve the harshest of punishments. And people who support them, like Kirsten Pabst, also deserve their comeuppance. Hopefully karma will deal them the hands they so deserve.
This is a very difficult book to read, due to the subject matter. And at times, the legalese sort of lost me. But it is an incredibly important story and needs to be read by all. And as a father of a daughter, I am horrified. And I totally agree with this quote from the book:
"That kid right there is a no-good rapist piece of shit that raped my daughter, and I hope he rots in hell, frankly." - Kevin Huguet
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LibraryThing member marshapetry
If I could give more stars I would... another awesome book from Mr. Krakauer. Also, the narrator - Mozan Marno (spelling?) - was excellent. A thoroughly engrossing book of a difficult subject - I highly recommend to anyone who isn't too triggered by the subject of rape (for those of you who are,
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believe me, Krakauer hits hard and to the point on the subject). Will the book make any difference? Who knows... I sure hope so... but my own college experience back in the 1970s was the same - to find that nothing has basically changed since then is disheartening. Show Less
LibraryThing member EBT1002
"...drunk guys who may have 'made mistakes' nearly always get the benefit of the doubt. Drunk girls, however, do not."
I can't write a review, per se, of this important work. I can only urge anyone who has questions about the current national conversation about sexual assault on college campuses to
I can't write a review, per se, of this important work. I can only urge anyone who has questions about the current national conversation about sexual assault on college campuses to
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read this book. Or listen to it. Krakauer, as usual, did his research. He helps the reader understand the dynamics of sexual assault, which is almost always perpetrated not by a stranger but by a trusted friend or a new acquaintance. He tries to help the average person understand the biological, psychological, and cultural reasons why a woman being sexually assaulted will, in the majority of cases, not scream or kick or yell or try to fight. This apparent paradox is a key fact perpetuating rape myths. The stories Krakauer tells involving students at the University of Montana bring humanity and sanity to the understanding of this complex and painful issue. It is an important work and very well-done. Show Less
LibraryThing member electrascaife
Krakauer delves into the college town rape culture by recounting and dissecting two high profile court cases held during a four-year period of sexual assault scandal that deeply involved the Missoula football team.
Much of what this book discusses doesn't surprise me: the epidemic-level rate of
What I find at least slightly comforting, though, is Krakauer's admitting his former ignorance of just how prevalent sexual assault is in this country, and then deciding to try to do something to spread awareness. This book came out before the #MeToo movement started, but it's part of a trend that is, at least, encouraging in some respects. At any rate, it's an important read.
Much of what this book discusses doesn't surprise me: the epidemic-level rate of
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sexual assault on a college campus; the doubt that comes in waves from police and, of course, rabid football fans; the hero cult and resulting culture of entitlement surrounding the football players; the "boys will be boys" attitude. It's all there, everywhere. What made me most nauseous as I read Krakauer's account of the trials was the actions and attitude of the Missoula County prosecutor, Kirsten Pabst, who oversaw all charges of rape, dismissing most of them as unwinnable, and then standing as a character witness (*reels from another wave of disgust and nausea*) for one of the football players at a campus trial for rape. What I find at least slightly comforting, though, is Krakauer's admitting his former ignorance of just how prevalent sexual assault is in this country, and then deciding to try to do something to spread awareness. This book came out before the #MeToo movement started, but it's part of a trend that is, at least, encouraging in some respects. At any rate, it's an important read.
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LibraryThing member SamSattler
That college campus rapes are common in this country will surprise no one. It only makes sense that this would be the case anywhere that so many young people are experiencing sudden personal freedom in an atmosphere chiefly characterized by easy access to alcohol and drugs. What is shocking and
John Krakauer's Missoula, via a detailed look at the university town of Missoula, Montana, vividly illustrates just how difficult it is for rape victims to get justice in America's courts - especially if their abusers happen to be college athletes of local or national renown. Missoula, home of the University of Montana, typifies the problem rape victims are likely to encounter in too many college towns across the country, and what Krakauer learned in his investigation of the city is important. And sadly, what the author found explains why such a low percentage of rape victims even bother to report the assaults they suffer.
There is plenty of blame to go around for this chosen silence, some of it even accruing to the rape victims. It is all too common that the victim of rape is under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent that memory of the rape is clouded and almost dreamlike. Such victims are often not certain that they do not share some responsibility for the rape, and because the majority of rapes can be characterized as "acquaintance rapes," victims are reluctant to go public with the crime. They may have known their rapists for years and now find it difficult to ruin the lives of someone they had considered a friend, someone they trusted to protect them, not do the opposite.
Missoula explores the specific cases of several women in that city, women who had the courage to bring charges against those who stole forever their sense of security and confidence in their surroundings. All of the women whose cases are highlighted struggled with the decision to go public with what happened to them. In most cases, they hid the truth from their parents and boyfriends as long as they could, and it was only when the psychological damage they suffered became obvious to others that they spoke of what happened to them. And that is when their problems grew worse.
That is when the women had to deal with Missoula prosecutors who refused to bring a rapist to court unless they believed there was absolutely no way to lose the case. The Missoula County Attorney's Office, as led by Kirsten Pabst and Fred Van Valkenburg, refused to file charges in the vast majority of rape cases presented to it by the Missoula Police Department for consideration. Pabst, in particular, seems to have disregarded evidence that indicated a high chance that a crime had occurred because she was more concerned about keeping her personal Win-Loss record as near hundred percent as possible.
Even worse, the women, if those who raped them were University of Montana football players, faced the wrath of the local community. How dare these women cause the record of the football team to be less than it would have been were the criminals who raped them allowed to remain on the playing field? The victims were personally shunned and humiliated in public to a disgraceful degree intended to destroy them and to protect the men who raped them.
Almost unbelievably, many of the people responsible for the horrible miscarriages of justice detailed by Krakauer are still in place in Missoula. Some, particularly Kirsten Pabst, have actually benefitted from their abuse of the public's trust in them. Pabst's behavior is so reprehensible and damning that she actively tried to keep Missoula from being published in April of 2015. Her behavior, however, so greatly benefitted the football fans of Missoula, Montana, that voters there rewarded her with a more powerful position than the one she held at the time of the Department of Justice investigation that condemned her handling of rape investigations.
Missoula exposes the ugly truths about college campus rape. But the book is also a disgusting reminder of how so many are willing to reward criminal behavior if looking the other way results in more wins for the local college football team -rape victim be damned.
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surprising is just how poorly local and campus authorities handle reported assaults. John Krakauer's Missoula, via a detailed look at the university town of Missoula, Montana, vividly illustrates just how difficult it is for rape victims to get justice in America's courts - especially if their abusers happen to be college athletes of local or national renown. Missoula, home of the University of Montana, typifies the problem rape victims are likely to encounter in too many college towns across the country, and what Krakauer learned in his investigation of the city is important. And sadly, what the author found explains why such a low percentage of rape victims even bother to report the assaults they suffer.
There is plenty of blame to go around for this chosen silence, some of it even accruing to the rape victims. It is all too common that the victim of rape is under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent that memory of the rape is clouded and almost dreamlike. Such victims are often not certain that they do not share some responsibility for the rape, and because the majority of rapes can be characterized as "acquaintance rapes," victims are reluctant to go public with the crime. They may have known their rapists for years and now find it difficult to ruin the lives of someone they had considered a friend, someone they trusted to protect them, not do the opposite.
Missoula explores the specific cases of several women in that city, women who had the courage to bring charges against those who stole forever their sense of security and confidence in their surroundings. All of the women whose cases are highlighted struggled with the decision to go public with what happened to them. In most cases, they hid the truth from their parents and boyfriends as long as they could, and it was only when the psychological damage they suffered became obvious to others that they spoke of what happened to them. And that is when their problems grew worse.
That is when the women had to deal with Missoula prosecutors who refused to bring a rapist to court unless they believed there was absolutely no way to lose the case. The Missoula County Attorney's Office, as led by Kirsten Pabst and Fred Van Valkenburg, refused to file charges in the vast majority of rape cases presented to it by the Missoula Police Department for consideration. Pabst, in particular, seems to have disregarded evidence that indicated a high chance that a crime had occurred because she was more concerned about keeping her personal Win-Loss record as near hundred percent as possible.
Even worse, the women, if those who raped them were University of Montana football players, faced the wrath of the local community. How dare these women cause the record of the football team to be less than it would have been were the criminals who raped them allowed to remain on the playing field? The victims were personally shunned and humiliated in public to a disgraceful degree intended to destroy them and to protect the men who raped them.
Almost unbelievably, many of the people responsible for the horrible miscarriages of justice detailed by Krakauer are still in place in Missoula. Some, particularly Kirsten Pabst, have actually benefitted from their abuse of the public's trust in them. Pabst's behavior is so reprehensible and damning that she actively tried to keep Missoula from being published in April of 2015. Her behavior, however, so greatly benefitted the football fans of Missoula, Montana, that voters there rewarded her with a more powerful position than the one she held at the time of the Department of Justice investigation that condemned her handling of rape investigations.
Missoula exposes the ugly truths about college campus rape. But the book is also a disgusting reminder of how so many are willing to reward criminal behavior if looking the other way results in more wins for the local college football team -rape victim be damned.
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LibraryThing member Narshkite
A well put together polemic about the ways in which rape on campus is viewed by the justice system and the public, and to a lesser extent about the deification of college athletes. Krakauer is a wonderful storyteller. His skills are best displayed here when he is talking about the rapes themselves,
I come at this book with experience as a victim, as a lawyer (though never a criminal lawyer) as a person who worked with rapists and others in a prison environment, and as a plain old reader. The plain old reader and the victim in me would have liked this more if the other parts of me did not see so clearly how much of this Krakauer got wrong. Still a solid 4 star, and an important book for people who do know a lot about what "acquaintance rape" looks like and how it is treated.
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the immediate and enduring trauma to the victims, and the way in which victims and accused rapists are processed in the aftermath of a report. Where he falls down is in assuming that rapists know that what they did was rape (they often do not, issues of consent are not always clear, parties are not always sober, and horny college boys are not always empathic) and in reporting on the disciplinary hearings and trials. Lawyers have a job. He spits contempt at the way the defendants' attorneys tear down experts, attack the credibility of accusers and witnesses, and play on jurors' ignorance. Guess what, that is the lawyers' obligation. That is the job. Its not always pretty, but an adversarial justice system, though spectacularly imperfect, works better than anything else we have come up with to date. People are falsely accused of crimes, and if those people included Krakauer or anyone he cares about, he'd be cheering the defense attorneys who did what these lawyers did. It seems apparent that some of the defense attorneys here are not good people (although that could be the storytelling and not the facts) but they are good lawyers.I come at this book with experience as a victim, as a lawyer (though never a criminal lawyer) as a person who worked with rapists and others in a prison environment, and as a plain old reader. The plain old reader and the victim in me would have liked this more if the other parts of me did not see so clearly how much of this Krakauer got wrong. Still a solid 4 star, and an important book for people who do know a lot about what "acquaintance rape" looks like and how it is treated.
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LibraryThing member ozzer
The goal of Jon Krakauer’s latest book was to examine the complex issue of rape at American universities. His close focus on one place and a few incidents is both its strength and weakness. Krakauer dramatically highlights many important issues by examining five rapes in the small university town
The book is about acquaintance rape as opposed to stranger rape. This distinction presents certain challenges because the issues are fraught with nuances revolving around truth, the lack of hard evidence, embarrassment and image in the community. Krakauer correctly points out that most acquaintance rapes go unreported and, when reported, indictments and convictions are rare. Indeed, two high profile instances of false accusation have only lead to reinforce the myth that false accusations are common: Rolling Stone retracted a discredited article describing a gang rape in a UVA fraternity and accusations against lacrosse players at Duke proved to be unfounded. In the light of several messy rape investigations in Missoula, the DOJ investigated the police, prosecutors and university. They found that the police displayed a pattern of disrespect and indifference toward rape victims. They routinely implied that the accusations were being made to mask infidelity by asking if the victims had a boyfriend. The prosecutors overwhelmingly elected not to indict for lack of evidence. Krakauer emphasizes that acquaintance rape is the only instance in the legal system that assumes the victim is lying and that the easiest thing is to just prevent the whole truth from being revealed, especially if the alleged rapist is a high profile student athlete. The university also was not found entirely blameless. They have a vested interest in protecting their athletes but there processes do not allow defense attorneys to represent their clients and the burden of proof is lower than that of the courts. Moreover, as they are not judicial bodies, their only sanction is expulsion.
The stories are told via transcripts, interviews and news articles. However, the officials were not allowed to tell their side of the story, as Krakauer did not interview them. The rapes were described in graphic detail, often leaving the reader with the impression that the assaults were complicated by alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors that seemed to show a lack of common sense and self preservation. Notwithstanding these facts, Krakauer correctly points out that these behaviors in no way excuse these crimes. In the end, one is left with the sense that both parties suffer life-altering damage. The women need to see their attackers punished and are at risk for not ever seeing that outcome realized. As a result, they often suffer lasting PTSD-like symptoms. Krakauer admirably demonstrates this in his book. However, he fails to grapple with the high stakes faced by the young men—lifelong registration as sex-offenders, expulsion from the university, loss of career opportunities and prison sentences. Instead, he seems to portray them as entitled and unrepentant liars who manage to get away with it.
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of Missoula, Montana through the eyes of the women who elected to report these alleged crimes. Unfortunately, his focus on the victims makes to book seem one-sided and tends to oversimplify the complexities involved. The book is about acquaintance rape as opposed to stranger rape. This distinction presents certain challenges because the issues are fraught with nuances revolving around truth, the lack of hard evidence, embarrassment and image in the community. Krakauer correctly points out that most acquaintance rapes go unreported and, when reported, indictments and convictions are rare. Indeed, two high profile instances of false accusation have only lead to reinforce the myth that false accusations are common: Rolling Stone retracted a discredited article describing a gang rape in a UVA fraternity and accusations against lacrosse players at Duke proved to be unfounded. In the light of several messy rape investigations in Missoula, the DOJ investigated the police, prosecutors and university. They found that the police displayed a pattern of disrespect and indifference toward rape victims. They routinely implied that the accusations were being made to mask infidelity by asking if the victims had a boyfriend. The prosecutors overwhelmingly elected not to indict for lack of evidence. Krakauer emphasizes that acquaintance rape is the only instance in the legal system that assumes the victim is lying and that the easiest thing is to just prevent the whole truth from being revealed, especially if the alleged rapist is a high profile student athlete. The university also was not found entirely blameless. They have a vested interest in protecting their athletes but there processes do not allow defense attorneys to represent their clients and the burden of proof is lower than that of the courts. Moreover, as they are not judicial bodies, their only sanction is expulsion.
The stories are told via transcripts, interviews and news articles. However, the officials were not allowed to tell their side of the story, as Krakauer did not interview them. The rapes were described in graphic detail, often leaving the reader with the impression that the assaults were complicated by alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors that seemed to show a lack of common sense and self preservation. Notwithstanding these facts, Krakauer correctly points out that these behaviors in no way excuse these crimes. In the end, one is left with the sense that both parties suffer life-altering damage. The women need to see their attackers punished and are at risk for not ever seeing that outcome realized. As a result, they often suffer lasting PTSD-like symptoms. Krakauer admirably demonstrates this in his book. However, he fails to grapple with the high stakes faced by the young men—lifelong registration as sex-offenders, expulsion from the university, loss of career opportunities and prison sentences. Instead, he seems to portray them as entitled and unrepentant liars who manage to get away with it.
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LibraryThing member kteeley
Excruciatingly painful to read. But a must-read for everyone to grasp the prevalence of acquaintance rape and the consequences to individuals and society as a whole. Sickening.
LibraryThing member skrouhan
This is the second book I've read by Krakauer. I continue to be impressed with how thoroughly he researches his topic, providing readers with an addicting page-turner of a book. Having studied domestic violence and rape in college, most of the information presented in this book was not new to me -
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although I did learn a lot about the specific situation in Missoula, and how horribly it was handled. Although Krakauer isn't necessarily unbiased in his journalism, I think he does a good job of at least acknowledging the other side of the story. This is a must-read for anyone planning to attend/enrolled in college. Show Less
LibraryThing member St.CroixSue
This is Krakauer’s meticulously researched work on the individual rapes and the rape culture that pervaded the University of Montana - Missoula college campus from 2008 -2012, following through in minute detail from the reporting and response of the police through the trials and appeals. It
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brings to light a serious problem on all campuses in the US and the role of the local police, the role of the University and its policies, and the role of the justice system. A fascinating and eye-opening expose. Show Less
LibraryThing member shazjhb
Excellent analysis of the issues related to date rape. It is hard to believe that college kids do not understand the dangers of excessive drinking. Maybe school is just too easy allowing students too much time to drink and party.
LibraryThing member EllsbethB
I think it is important that the author points out at the beginning of the book that this is not just the story of a Montana town. The sexual assault statistics of Missoula, MT are average and are not exceptional or high. This makes what the author writes later on even more impactful. This book
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does a good job of highlighting the differences between the criminal justice system and university disciplinary hearings for sexual assault. The author presents the victims' experience with both of these systems in an effective way, as well as their personal turmoil, and their treatment by the community. I am disappointed that the book did not include any interviews with university officials or other involved parties. There was a great deal of court trials transcripts, which I think probably came across better on audio than in the print version (I listened to the book on audio). However, listening to the book on audio sometimes made it hard to follow which victim's narrative was currently being discussed. This is an important read in the current conversations of campus rape culture. I am hoping it opens doors to more conversation with more entities that can have an impact on raising awareness and lessening incidences of acquaintance rape. Show Less
LibraryThing member Unkletom
At the end of almost every audiobook the narrator comes on and says “We hope you have enjoyed this audio presentation of insert title. This morning when I got to the end of Jon Krakauer's latest book, and heard that, I had to laugh. No, I did not enjoy Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a
As painful as this book is to read, though, I believe that it is one that everyone should read. There are too many myths and misconceptions about rape that need to be corrected. When we hear the word rapist most of us picture some stranger in a ski mask breaking into an apartment armed with a knife. While such assaults do happen, 80 percent of rapes are perpetrated by people the victim knows and trusts. Of all the cases discussed in this book, the rapist was always considered a trusted friend by the victim. Another myth that is commonly held is that if a girl is really being raped, she will scream, fight, and do everything in her power up to and including risking her life, to resist. When police, prosecutors and juries believe that acquaintances can’t be rapists or that submission signifies assent, it is easy to see why rape is the most underreported violent crime on the books.
I could say more. I want to say more but I feel that if I started writing, I would not stop until I had a review that was longer that the book I am reviewing. I do want to point out one important thing which Krakauer made clear. This book did not focus on Missoula and the University of Montana because more rapes take place there than elsewhere. In truth, the rate for reported sexual assaults at the University of Montana is actually slightly less that the average. The book shone a spotlight on Montana to show what the situation is like everywhere.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star - The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
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College Town. It is an excruciatingly painful book to read or listen to. It describes, in living Technicolor, gut-wrenching sexual assaults and the years of psychological torment that the victims of those assaults must endure. In addition, it spotlights shortcomings in our criminal justice system that only exacerbate the torture and suffering these victims experience.As painful as this book is to read, though, I believe that it is one that everyone should read. There are too many myths and misconceptions about rape that need to be corrected. When we hear the word rapist most of us picture some stranger in a ski mask breaking into an apartment armed with a knife. While such assaults do happen, 80 percent of rapes are perpetrated by people the victim knows and trusts. Of all the cases discussed in this book, the rapist was always considered a trusted friend by the victim. Another myth that is commonly held is that if a girl is really being raped, she will scream, fight, and do everything in her power up to and including risking her life, to resist. When police, prosecutors and juries believe that acquaintances can’t be rapists or that submission signifies assent, it is easy to see why rape is the most underreported violent crime on the books.
I could say more. I want to say more but I feel that if I started writing, I would not stop until I had a review that was longer that the book I am reviewing. I do want to point out one important thing which Krakauer made clear. This book did not focus on Missoula and the University of Montana because more rapes take place there than elsewhere. In truth, the rate for reported sexual assaults at the University of Montana is actually slightly less that the average. The book shone a spotlight on Montana to show what the situation is like everywhere.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star - The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
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LibraryThing member Carlie
Once in a great while I will find a book that truly shifts my entire perspective. I did not expect a book about rape to be one of those. I suppose that is largely due to the fact that I am one of the fortunate people to have managed to avoid having been sexually assaulted. Now I know how lucky I
Really this book is about adding insult to injury. The nature of the adversarial justice system in the United States automatically stacks against sexual assault victims. Police ask inappropriate questions and make assumptions based on the intoxication of the parties, prosecutors fail to see an easy win due to the nature of the crime, and women often end up defending themselves from those who are supposed to help them.
Krakauer explores one college town in Montana to use it as a case study to shine a light on inequities that can be seen elsewhere in the country. He goes in-depth to tell stories of specific victims to provide some context and anecdotes surrounding the circumstances in which these kinds of rapes occur. Justice in these cases was rare. And even where there was some justice, the trauma experienced by the victims was severe. Having to relive their experiences and then seeing their perpetrators go free makes their ability to cope that much more difficult.
It was so bad in Missoula that the Department of Justice got involved after a series of stories written in the local newspaper caught their attention. Even after all of the evidence was compiled, the Missoula County Attorney, Fred Van Valkenburg, still refused to cooperate. The resources and training needed to help these victims is not so burdensome to implement and the results provide such improved responses to these crimes, I cannot fathom the obtuseness of this man.
The monumental takeaway I learned from this book is not really mentioned in it explicitly. As Krakauer tells the stories of the victims, he also takes care to relate their reactions both during the rapes and afterwards. Often victims are so traumatized and shocked during the act that they fail to shout out and fight back. They are under duress and physically held down. They are frightened that any reaction might elicit a more violent response from their attackers.
My parents and teachers never told me that I might have that reaction during a rape. That I might be paralyzed and stunned. That when I did report a crime I better have some physical evidence or police and prosecutors might not believe me. That the physical evidence may even need to be more than bruises and vaginal lacerations; I better get some DNA under my fingernails. Because the default reaction might be to blame the victim and give the attacker the benefit of the doubt. That the justice system is so stacked against rape victims and that old stereotypes of rape are so ingrained that they won’t even know that they are causing additional harm.
I am so grateful that this book was written and that these stories were told. Even though Krakauer provides just a fraction of the stories that could have been told – 350 sexual assaults were reported to the Missoula police during the 52 months of the Department of Justice investigation – their stories were powerful. This is a subject that does not get discussed as often or as effectively as it needs to be.
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am. Most rape is perpetrated by someone you know, and much of it goes unreported for a myriad of reasons. This leaves the scary circumstance in which rapists are often multiple offenders due to the lack of punishment and recourse.Really this book is about adding insult to injury. The nature of the adversarial justice system in the United States automatically stacks against sexual assault victims. Police ask inappropriate questions and make assumptions based on the intoxication of the parties, prosecutors fail to see an easy win due to the nature of the crime, and women often end up defending themselves from those who are supposed to help them.
Krakauer explores one college town in Montana to use it as a case study to shine a light on inequities that can be seen elsewhere in the country. He goes in-depth to tell stories of specific victims to provide some context and anecdotes surrounding the circumstances in which these kinds of rapes occur. Justice in these cases was rare. And even where there was some justice, the trauma experienced by the victims was severe. Having to relive their experiences and then seeing their perpetrators go free makes their ability to cope that much more difficult.
It was so bad in Missoula that the Department of Justice got involved after a series of stories written in the local newspaper caught their attention. Even after all of the evidence was compiled, the Missoula County Attorney, Fred Van Valkenburg, still refused to cooperate. The resources and training needed to help these victims is not so burdensome to implement and the results provide such improved responses to these crimes, I cannot fathom the obtuseness of this man.
The monumental takeaway I learned from this book is not really mentioned in it explicitly. As Krakauer tells the stories of the victims, he also takes care to relate their reactions both during the rapes and afterwards. Often victims are so traumatized and shocked during the act that they fail to shout out and fight back. They are under duress and physically held down. They are frightened that any reaction might elicit a more violent response from their attackers.
My parents and teachers never told me that I might have that reaction during a rape. That I might be paralyzed and stunned. That when I did report a crime I better have some physical evidence or police and prosecutors might not believe me. That the physical evidence may even need to be more than bruises and vaginal lacerations; I better get some DNA under my fingernails. Because the default reaction might be to blame the victim and give the attacker the benefit of the doubt. That the justice system is so stacked against rape victims and that old stereotypes of rape are so ingrained that they won’t even know that they are causing additional harm.
I am so grateful that this book was written and that these stories were told. Even though Krakauer provides just a fraction of the stories that could have been told – 350 sexual assaults were reported to the Missoula police during the 52 months of the Department of Justice investigation – their stories were powerful. This is a subject that does not get discussed as often or as effectively as it needs to be.
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LibraryThing member gbelik
Excellent both in telling the actually story of the individuals involved in the rapes that brought attention to the University of Montana in Missoula and the effect on the University and the town. Although it is a story focused on this time and place, it does manage to bring attention to the
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problem of rape at colleges in general without seeming like a tirade. Great job, Mr Krakauer! Show Less
LibraryThing member techeditor
As usual, Jon Krakauer has deeply researched his subject, rape and the justice system in Missoula, Montana during, mostly, 2008 through 2012. He presents specific case studies of acquaintance rape when the victims came under suspicion, a common result if a victim dares to report this crime to the
The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula is where the victims were students. The alleged perpetrators in most of these cases were football players for UM. Therefore, Krakauer also examines Missoula’s seeming adoration of the UM football team.
Although Krakauer’s research is impeccable, his arrangement of the facts seemed somewhat haphazard during the first half of the book. Well, maybe not haphazard but not the way I would have done it. The organization sometimes confused me until I got to Part Four.
Also, I found this book to be a lot like the research papers I wrote in college, lots of facts but easy to put down. MISSOULA does, however, clearly show a problem going on in this country: rape is prevalent on college campuses, and victims don’t want to report it.
I won this book from luxuryreading.com.
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police.The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula is where the victims were students. The alleged perpetrators in most of these cases were football players for UM. Therefore, Krakauer also examines Missoula’s seeming adoration of the UM football team.
Although Krakauer’s research is impeccable, his arrangement of the facts seemed somewhat haphazard during the first half of the book. Well, maybe not haphazard but not the way I would have done it. The organization sometimes confused me until I got to Part Four.
Also, I found this book to be a lot like the research papers I wrote in college, lots of facts but easy to put down. MISSOULA does, however, clearly show a problem going on in this country: rape is prevalent on college campuses, and victims don’t want to report it.
I won this book from luxuryreading.com.
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LibraryThing member dablackwood
Can't really say much. I had to stop reading after about 80 pages. I'm sure Krakauer knows of what he writes, but honestly, I got so angry about the amount of alcohol that surrounded the rapes. It seems to me that the sex wasn't even the real problem. Yes, the rapes were horrific, but all of the
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participants were so drunk that it's hard to know what really happened. Believe me, I'm not defending any of the alleged rapers, I'm just acknowledging that alcohol played a huge part and maybe we need to start with some better prevention. Show Less
LibraryThing member sparemethecensor
Although nothing in this book surprised me, it infuriated and upset me nonetheless. The number of women whose sexual assaults are ignored -- not to mention how they are blamed for their own assaults -- is so unacceptable. Yet so few people think anything can be done, especially within law
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enforcement and institutions like universities. Eye-opening read if you are unfamiliar with this miscarriage of justice. Show Less
LibraryThing member BillieBook
This book pissed me the f**k off. Not because it was bad in any way, but because this kind of s**t is still happening--young women are still being traumatized by sexual assault and then minimized by the justice system which is supposed to assist them. And, though Krakauer shines a light on
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Missoula, Montana, these events could have unfolded in almost any college town--hell, any town at all--anywhere in the country. Show Less
LibraryThing member ozzer
The goal of Jon Krakauer’s latest book was to examine the complex issue of rape at American universities. His close focus on one place and a few incidents is both its strength and weakness. Krakauer dramatically highlights many important issues by examining five rapes in the small university town
The book is about acquaintance rape as opposed to stranger rape. This distinction presents certain challenges because the issues are fraught with nuances revolving around truth, the lack of hard evidence, embarrassment and image in the community. Krakauer correctly points out that most acquaintance rapes go unreported and, when reported, indictments and convictions are rare. Indeed, two high profile instances of false accusation have only lead to reinforce the myth that false accusations are common: Rolling Stone retracted a discredited article describing a gang rape in a UVA fraternity and accusations against lacrosse players at Duke proved to be unfounded. In the light of several messy rape investigations in Missoula, the DOJ investigated the police, prosecutors and university. They found that the police displayed a pattern of disrespect and indifference toward rape victims. They routinely implied that the accusations were being made to mask infidelity by asking if the victims had a boyfriend. The prosecutors overwhelmingly elected not to indict for lack of evidence. Krakauer emphasizes that acquaintance rape is the only instance in the legal system that assumes the victim is lying and that the easiest thing is to just prevent the whole truth from being revealed, especially if the alleged rapist is a high profile student athlete. The university also was not found entirely blameless. They have a vested interest in protecting their athletes but there processes do not allow defense attorneys to represent their clients and the burden of proof is lower than that of the courts. Moreover, as they are not judicial bodies, their only sanction is expulsion.
The stories are told via transcripts, interviews and news articles. However, the officials were not allowed to tell their side of the story, as Krakauer did not interview them. The rapes were described in graphic detail, often leaving the reader with the impression that the assaults were complicated by alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors that seemed to show a lack of common sense and self preservation. Notwithstanding these facts, Krakauer correctly points out that these behaviors in no way excuse these crimes. In the end, one is left with the sense that both parties suffer life-altering damage. The women need to see their attackers punished and are at risk for not ever seeing that outcome realized. As a result, they often suffer lasting PTSD-like symptoms. Krakauer admirably demonstrates this in his book. However, he fails to grapple with the high stakes faced by the young men—lifelong registration as sex-offenders, expulsion from the university, loss of career opportunities and prison sentences. Instead, he seems to portray them as entitled and unrepentant liars who manage to get away with it.
Show More
of Missoula, Montana through the eyes of the women who elected to report these alleged crimes. Unfortunately, his focus on the victims makes to book seem one-sided and tends to oversimplify the complexities involved. The book is about acquaintance rape as opposed to stranger rape. This distinction presents certain challenges because the issues are fraught with nuances revolving around truth, the lack of hard evidence, embarrassment and image in the community. Krakauer correctly points out that most acquaintance rapes go unreported and, when reported, indictments and convictions are rare. Indeed, two high profile instances of false accusation have only lead to reinforce the myth that false accusations are common: Rolling Stone retracted a discredited article describing a gang rape in a UVA fraternity and accusations against lacrosse players at Duke proved to be unfounded. In the light of several messy rape investigations in Missoula, the DOJ investigated the police, prosecutors and university. They found that the police displayed a pattern of disrespect and indifference toward rape victims. They routinely implied that the accusations were being made to mask infidelity by asking if the victims had a boyfriend. The prosecutors overwhelmingly elected not to indict for lack of evidence. Krakauer emphasizes that acquaintance rape is the only instance in the legal system that assumes the victim is lying and that the easiest thing is to just prevent the whole truth from being revealed, especially if the alleged rapist is a high profile student athlete. The university also was not found entirely blameless. They have a vested interest in protecting their athletes but there processes do not allow defense attorneys to represent their clients and the burden of proof is lower than that of the courts. Moreover, as they are not judicial bodies, their only sanction is expulsion.
The stories are told via transcripts, interviews and news articles. However, the officials were not allowed to tell their side of the story, as Krakauer did not interview them. The rapes were described in graphic detail, often leaving the reader with the impression that the assaults were complicated by alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors that seemed to show a lack of common sense and self preservation. Notwithstanding these facts, Krakauer correctly points out that these behaviors in no way excuse these crimes. In the end, one is left with the sense that both parties suffer life-altering damage. The women need to see their attackers punished and are at risk for not ever seeing that outcome realized. As a result, they often suffer lasting PTSD-like symptoms. Krakauer admirably demonstrates this in his book. However, he fails to grapple with the high stakes faced by the young men—lifelong registration as sex-offenders, expulsion from the university, loss of career opportunities and prison sentences. Instead, he seems to portray them as entitled and unrepentant liars who manage to get away with it.
Show Less
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Non-Fiction — 2016)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Book (2015)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Non-Fiction — 2015)
Language
Original publication date
2015
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